In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for California online.
First, Who Needs Hunter Education?
California law is clear: due to state regulations, All first‐time hunters (regardless of birthdate) must complete hunter education before buying a license.
Summary of Guide
Complete the online-only, IHEA-approved and CA-accepted hunter safety education course (Adults 17 and older only). No in-person field day required for adults.
Print or save your temporary certificate for immediate use. Your state-issued hunter education certificate will be emailed to you within 7-10 business days and is valid for life and for use in California, as well as all other 49 US States, Mexico, and Canada.
That's it! You can now go buy your hunting license(s) and hunt legally for life.
We break down the guide into more detail below, but if you're short on time and ready to get started, head over to our online Hunter Education Course and complete it today!
An Overview of the Hunter Education Course for CA Hunters
Our hunter safety training course is:
- Online-only, no in-person course required.
- All video-based, so there's no requirement to read anything. It includes closed captions, and you can search the video by keyword.
- Self-paced, meaning you can come and go as needed. Your progress is automatically saved.
- 3 hours long, covering essential hunter safety education topics, including archery, making it one of the fastest ways to complete your requirements.
- You can do it from your phone, computer, or tablet, or switch between them if you like.
- Unlimited exam attempts.
- Valid in all 50 US States as well as Mexico and Canada.
- We offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
What to expect in the Hunter Ed Course
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our interactive course, or consider a follow-up class if additional training is desired. We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for use in California for CA residents and non-residents alike.
Signing up for your Hunter Education Course California
Sign up for the course, pay, & provide your information for your hunter education certificate. Make sure it matches your driver's license or state ID, if you have one.
Taking the Hunter Education Course online
This is an overview of our course landing page, showing the 5 units you must complete to take the final exam:
Here is an example of a unit section. You have the choice to watch the video or read the material for each section:
Here is an example of the video content found throughout our course for each section found within the 5 units:
The Hunter Safety Final Exam
The final exam is 60 multiple-choice questions, and your scores are provided immediately.
To pass, you need a score of 80% or higher. If you’re nervous about the exam, remember:
Every answer is covered during the course, which aligns with NRA guidelines on gun safety and education.
Our course allows unlimited retake attempts if you fail the first time.
Here are a few example questions you might encounter:
- What is the safest direction to point a firearm?
- Which of the following is an ethical hunting or trapping practice?
- What should you do first if you become lost in the woods?
Review the provided study materials and quiz yourself at home, and consider attending a follow-up class to reinforce your understanding. Repetition and real-world application (even dry-firing a toy gun or role-playing scenarios) help solidify learning.
Getting your Hunter Education Certification
After completing the course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your Hunter Education Certificate. This is your ticket to purchasing your first California hunting license!
Once you have completed the course, you can see your exam pass rate and temporary certificate here:
You can click the certificate page to see, save & print your temporary certificate:
You will receive a final certificate of completion upon completing our course and passing the final exam. We encourage users to print this certificate as it will act as your temporary Hunter Education Certificate until your permanent certificate is ready for download from the State, approximately 7-10 business days following the completion of your course.
Receiving your state-issued hunter education card
Once you complete the certification, we submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including California), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
You will receive this email from "Element LMS" when your permanent certificate is ready for download in approximately 7-10 business days.
Treat your card like a driver’s license. You can either print it and store it in your wallet or keep a digital copy on your phone, as you'll need it when applying for new hunting licenses. Keep it safe, as you’ll need to show proof of certification when applying for a new hunting license or if requested by a game warden in the field.
Where to buy your California Hunting License
As soon as you receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course, you are eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in, and the NRA provides additional resources on responsible hunting practices.
To hunt in California, you can purchase your license online via the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Online License Sales Portal or in person through licensed agents. A full list of vendors can be found on the CDFW License Sales Offices & Agents Page.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of California
- Bass Pro Shops – Manteca, CA Address: 1356 Bass Pro Dr, Manteca, CA 95337 Phone: (209) 825-8400
- Bass Pro Shops – Rancho Cucamonga, CA Address: 7777 Victoria Gardens Ln, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 Phone: (909) 922-5500
- Big 5 Sporting Goods – Burbank, CA Address: 510 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502 Phone: (818) 848-9050
- Walmart Supercenter – Sacramento, CA Address: 3661 Truxel Rd, Sacramento, CA 95834 Phone: (916) 928-9666
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Contact Information: Phone: (916) 928-5805 Email: [email protected] Website: wildlife.ca.gov
Start Smart: Your Online Hunter Ed Journey
Having a Hunter Education Certificate opens many doors outside of simply purchasing a hunting license, including opportunities with the NRA, firearm hunting, and wildlife conservation.
All states accept our online-only Hunter Education Course if you're an adult and 17 or older.
Some insurance companies, including those offering ATV insurance, provide discounts for hunter safety education graduates.
Additional courses—like advanced archery, bowhunting, basic hunter-trapper education, or advanced hunter-trapper education—are available if you are interested in expanding your skills and possibly attending a follow-up class.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lose my Hunter Education Certificate?
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) allows you to reprint your certificate from their online portal anytime for free. It’s smart to make a backup digital copy.
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.